Pope Francis Calls for Ethical AI to Protect Humanity
Updated: Jan 8, 2024
[Edited] Pope Francis has called for a legally binding international treaty to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that algorithms should not replace human values and warning of the potential threat of a "technological dictatorship" to human existence.
In a message for the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1, the Pope made his plea. The message, traditionally sent to world leaders and heads of institutions like the United Nations, is titled "Artificial Intelligence and Peace."
This call comes at a time when governments worldwide are grappling with the need to strike a balance between the advantages of AI, which can engage in human-like conversations, answer questions, and write computer code, and the necessity of implementing safeguards.
In his message, Francis wrote, "The global scale of artificial intelligence makes it clear that, alongside the responsibility of sovereign states to regulate its use internally, international organizations can play a decisive role in reaching multilateral agreements and coordinating their application and enforcement."
He further urged the global community of nations to work together in adopting a binding international treaty that regulates the development and use of AI in its various forms.
Last week, the European Union reached a provisional deal on landmark rules governing the use of AI, including regulations on governments' use of AI in biometric surveillance and the regulation of AI systems like ChatGPT.
The Pope's call coincides with companies like OpenAI, in which Microsoft is an investor, continuing to discover new applications for their technology, sparking both praise and concerns. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, recently launched a new AI model called Gemini to rival OpenAI.
Francis stressed the need for ethical scrutiny of the "aims and interests of (AI's) owners and developers," cautioning that certain AI applications "may pose a risk to our survival and endanger our common home," referring to the Earth.
He warned against the use of AI in weapons systems, stating that it could lead to a global catastrophe. Francis expressed grave ethical concerns about research on emerging technologies in the area of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems and the weaponization of AI, emphasizing that autonomous weapon systems can never be morally responsible subjects.
The Pope emphasized the importance of human oversight of weapon systems, stating that the unique human capacity for moral judgment and ethical decision-making should not be entrusted to machines.
During a news conference presenting the message, Cardinal Michael Czerny, head of the Vatican's human development office, clarified that the Pope is not opposed to new technology and appreciates technological and scientific progress that serves humanity. However, he highlighted Francis' particular concern about AI, describing it as "perhaps the highest-stake gamble of our future."
Pope Francis has called for a binding international treaty to regulate artificial intelligence.
The Pope warns of the potential threat of a "technological dictatorship" and emphasizes the need to preserve human values.
Governments worldwide are seeking to strike a balance between the advantages of AI and the implementation of safeguards.
Source: Reuters